Remember how in the 1990s foreign policy experts were sure that Khatami was going to make Iran safe for Western diplomacy- because Khatami only talked about cleansing the earth of Zionist corruption in vague terms? And then how when that didn't work diplomatic dialogue was going to be saved by conservative pragmatists - they only want to wage nuclear wars against Israel because they think can win them. Relying on Iranians who want to win nuclear wars is important because the alternative is that the Iranian regime is actually being led by apocalyptic lunatics.

The problem is that the Iranian regime really does seem to be led by apocalyptic lunatics. Ahmadinejad pretty regularly declares that the 12th imam it just around the corner. Even Iran's nuclear negotiator is more or less committed to bringing about the end of the world. So the people who are out in front - kind of crazy.

Foreign policy experts get around pesky evidence - things like Iran's "statements" and "actions" - by talking about how the lunatics aren't the ones who are really in charge. While it may seem that way to neoconservative warmongers, sophisticated liberal foreign policy elites are privy to the secret battles and power plays that actually set Iranian policy. So while it might look like Ahmadinejad and Jalili are trying to start a nuclear war, there's supposed to be a pitched battle between conservative pragmatists and lunatics for Khamenei's ear. Turns out not so much:

Iran's Supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to plan for a second four-year term, Iranian official news agency IRNA reported Sunday. According to the report, Khemenei told Ahmadinejad that he should not think his administration is serving its final year and that he has to work as if he will stay in power for another four years. Earlier on Sunday, Khamenei was quoted as praising Ahmadinejad for "standing up to" the West in a dispute over the country's nuclear program, amid growing domestic criticism of the president's management. Khamenei offered unusually glowing praise of Ahmadinejad, who upon his election in 2005 sparked a confrontation with the West by resuming uranium enrichment and also prompted worldwide condemnation for denouncing Israel. The country's spiritual leader has rarely, if ever, expressed such support for any other Iranian politician.

Not to worry. I'm sure there's some secret coded message in Khamenei's glowing praise. Something that's actually a reason for the US to engage in some Hopeful and Changeful diplomacy. And I'm sure that State's Iran people or someone at the CFR will be explaining it to the NYT's readership soon enough.

References:
* Smug Liberal Sophistication Untroubled By Undeniable Evidence That Hardliners Are Winning In Iran [MR]
* Iran's Ribbentrop [TCS Daily]
* Idiots [MR]
* Ahmadinejad Declares Coming Return Of the Mahdi [MR]
* Super! Iran's New Nuclear Negotiator Dedicated To Bringing About The End Of The World. Yes, Really. [MR]
* 'Ahmadinejad should plan another 4-year term' [JPost]

Previously:
* State Department Discovers Iran Supports Terrorism
* Bolton: Israel Will Attack Iran By January (Plus: New EU Sanctions Somewhat Underwhelming, Still Better Than What Obama Will Do)
* Iran: Israeli Self-Defense is a Cause for War